While the joy of Monsoon continues across the country, “the boy” prolongs his nostalgic memories of the city of joy by taking a festive route.
Festivals are perhaps one of biggest celebrations for Indians. Unlike our western counterparts, we are fortunate to have so many festivals on our calendar. That may be a reason why the concept of a perfect vacation is still not prevalent in India as we get enough time to spend with family and friends. While Onam, Ugadi and Pongal are typically celebrated in South India, Ganesh Chaturthi is famous in Western part of India. Bihar and UP have their share of regional festival named as Chhath Pooja while Punjab regales in excitement of Baisakhi.
Amidst all these regional festivals, there are a few national festivals also which are more or less uniformly celebrated in India. One of them is Dussehra which is more prominent in West Bengal than many other states. There are many mythological backgrounds asto why it is celebrated, but people in West Bengal regard it as nine days of home-coming for "Maa Durga" ("Maa"). People earnestly wait months for these nine days of continuous devotion and joy. The city of Calcutta in particular is flooded with large wooden structures known as Pandaals which are decorated based on various traditional as well as innovative themes. Artists spend days to build such massive structures and statues of Maa. During first five days of this period, the statue of Maa is set up inside the Pandals and adorned with clothes, jewels, garlands and flowers.
As the Pujo (worship) commences from sixth day, the whole city comes to a standstill with four days of declared official holidays. Every night thousands of people step out to do a pandal-hopping and all by foot. If one wants to cite the longest queues of devotees, this is perhaps the time. The city glitters with unprecedented lights on the roads and streets. The atmosphere basks in the uninterrupted spells of holy chants. Innumerable roadside food-stalls appease the hunger and thirst of hoppers. Thousands of specially appointed cops take care of law and order situation. Metro trains run the whole night, yes whole night. It is one crazy experience even for a local resident by any standard. In the middle of all this craziness, the worship and the devotion, the grace and the belief, the perseverance and the respect is what lingers with the mind and heart over the days to come. Indeed, the love for goddess is unparallel and the belief indissoluble. A grand salute to the Spirit of Durga Puja!
As always, Maa has to go back to her abode after the brief period of home-coming. Tenth day (popularly known as Vijayadashmi or Shubho Bijoya) is the time to bid a heartfelt farewell to the Maa. Sindur Khela (A play where women greet each other with vermilion) and Bisarjon (Immersion) are the key highlights of the day. Many poignant faces on the banks of the Ganges say it all. The cry of “Maa Jaache” (Mom is going away) stimulates the heart as the eyes turn moist and watery in the parting pain. With a heavy heart and trembling body, each one of them says “goodbye” only to see the Maa again next year.
Oh Calcutta – the festivities electrify…
Festivals are perhaps one of biggest celebrations for Indians. Unlike our western counterparts, we are fortunate to have so many festivals on our calendar. That may be a reason why the concept of a perfect vacation is still not prevalent in India as we get enough time to spend with family and friends. While Onam, Ugadi and Pongal are typically celebrated in South India, Ganesh Chaturthi is famous in Western part of India. Bihar and UP have their share of regional festival named as Chhath Pooja while Punjab regales in excitement of Baisakhi.
Amidst all these regional festivals, there are a few national festivals also which are more or less uniformly celebrated in India. One of them is Dussehra which is more prominent in West Bengal than many other states. There are many mythological backgrounds asto why it is celebrated, but people in West Bengal regard it as nine days of home-coming for "Maa Durga" ("Maa"). People earnestly wait months for these nine days of continuous devotion and joy. The city of Calcutta in particular is flooded with large wooden structures known as Pandaals which are decorated based on various traditional as well as innovative themes. Artists spend days to build such massive structures and statues of Maa. During first five days of this period, the statue of Maa is set up inside the Pandals and adorned with clothes, jewels, garlands and flowers.
As the Pujo (worship) commences from sixth day, the whole city comes to a standstill with four days of declared official holidays. Every night thousands of people step out to do a pandal-hopping and all by foot. If one wants to cite the longest queues of devotees, this is perhaps the time. The city glitters with unprecedented lights on the roads and streets. The atmosphere basks in the uninterrupted spells of holy chants. Innumerable roadside food-stalls appease the hunger and thirst of hoppers. Thousands of specially appointed cops take care of law and order situation. Metro trains run the whole night, yes whole night. It is one crazy experience even for a local resident by any standard. In the middle of all this craziness, the worship and the devotion, the grace and the belief, the perseverance and the respect is what lingers with the mind and heart over the days to come. Indeed, the love for goddess is unparallel and the belief indissoluble. A grand salute to the Spirit of Durga Puja!
As always, Maa has to go back to her abode after the brief period of home-coming. Tenth day (popularly known as Vijayadashmi or Shubho Bijoya) is the time to bid a heartfelt farewell to the Maa. Sindur Khela (A play where women greet each other with vermilion) and Bisarjon (Immersion) are the key highlights of the day. Many poignant faces on the banks of the Ganges say it all. The cry of “Maa Jaache” (Mom is going away) stimulates the heart as the eyes turn moist and watery in the parting pain. With a heavy heart and trembling body, each one of them says “goodbye” only to see the Maa again next year.
Oh Calcutta – the festivities electrify…
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2 comments:
The period when Calcutta is probably at its best. Puja time when the festivities are at a real high. Even the chaos caused on Bisarjon day is still fun and good natured. Haven't sen Puja in Bengal for some 20 years now, but when I was there, it was truly special.
@ Ramesh - without doubt, this is really the best time. It has always been special to see pooja in Calcutta. Forgot to mention about those dandia nights. I just love them :-)
Wow, you were in Calcutta some two decades ago... that is a long time. The place is still very special.
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